Friday Fun - July 19, 2024

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I just finished reading Midnight Clear by Jerusha Agen as a member of the launch team. This prequel novella of the Guardians Unleashed series released yesterday.  

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join C arrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  Midnight Clear by Jerusha Agen:

"The Christmas carol blaring from the TV choked as darkness swallowed the house."

Knowing this was a romantic suspense novel, it was a bit concerning that the electricity suddenly seemed to go out. Especially with the author choosing to use the word "choked." 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

Midnight Clear by Jerusha Agen:
 

"Her chest pinched a little at the sadness that pulled down the corners of his mouth. She looked away from the expression that was probably a reflection of her own. 'That's too bad. It's great to be with family at Christmas.' At least that was what all the Christmas movies and songs claimed. It had never been good to be with her mom any time of year."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. However, I am still reading both of them. However, I did finish the book featured in this post. So, here is my review:

Midnight Clear by Jerusha Agen

Midnight Clear by Jerusha Agen Review

 

I was first introduced to the Guardians Unleashed series by Jerusha Agen a few months ago when I was on the launch team for book four in the series, Lethal Danger. I fell in love with the characters and have been wanting to read more. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this prequel novella as a part of the launch team. Midnight Clear had previously been published as a part of the Holiday Menace anthology. 

Midnight Clear takes place right before Christmas and a huge snowstorm is blowing in, leaving Marion without power. She then finds a strange, intimidating man half buried in the snow outside her home. Even more concerning is the fact that he is protecting a baby. The reader wonders, along with Marion, where this man has come from, why he has a baby, and whether she will be safe as she offers her aid. Thankfully she has her two dogs to help protect her if needed.

A reader of the series will recognize that Marion is the owner of Forever Home, the dog rescue and training facility where the K-9 agency featured in the books gets their well trained dogs. I don't know how much she is featured in the other books, if at all, but I do remember her from book four. Another familiar face is Phoenix Gray, the founder of the K-9 agency. But this book takes place BEFORE she founded the agency, which is sort of cool. 

I loved the suspense and action in this book as the main characters try to figure out how to save the baby and protect her, and themselves, from the bad guys. Trafficking is involved. Getting to see the dogs in action was a highlight of the story. As was seeing Marion's love and care for them, even while she herself feels she will never be loved. It is also a story about redemption with the gospel message being shared. The truth of God's love for us and how He wants to adopt us into His family.

I loved this book and really hope to get a chance to read the books between this one and book 4 that I recently read. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team, and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Names of God: Living Unafraid Devotional Study by Grace Fox Review

 

I really enjoyed Names of God: Living Unafriad by Grace Fox. I found it was a great way to get into the Word of God and learn more about Him.

The author shared seven names for God, along with where those names are found in the Scriptures. Plus she shared personal testimonies of how she found God working in her life with those specific attributes. Additionally she shared some various stories from others. 

Each chapter also has a "How Shall We Respond" section, a prayer, and Points to Ponder where she has us read additional Bible passages and answer questions. 

You'll want to spend a good amount of time in each chapter to really absorb what the author is sharing. It took me several days to get through each chapter as I didn't want to rush. I found myself taking notes and highlighting as I went, spending time reading the Scripture she referrenced. 

What a wonderful, encouraging study to help the reader learn to put their trust in our Lord and Savior. Definitely one I recommend, either for a personal study or one to go through with fellow Christians.  

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team, and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard Review

 

I really enjoyed Hidden in the Night, the final book in Elizabeth Goddard's Missing in Alaska series. I was quite intrigued and drawn in by the "finding a missing manuscript" part of the plot. A fictional missing manuscript written by a not-fictional famous author. I love the way the manuscript played into the story. The author kept me wondering how important the manuscript was to the other plot points. A missing young lady who was probably in danger herself. The possibility of trafficking being involved. Scientific researchers. Villains who both seem to be prodding Ivy to find the manuscript and deter her from finding it. As a reader I found there was a great deal of suspense and peril and mystery. And of course, it is romantic suspense, so what was going to happen in the relationship between Ivy and Nolan. 

The story is told from both of their points of view. They knew each other in the past but had let the other slip away. Was this the opportunity to get closer or would the fact that the one lived in Florida and the other in Alaska be a road block they couldn't overcome? I did love seeing their relationship evolve, though I did get frustrated with them at times. 

Another thing I loved about the book is that we get to see the characters from the previous two books again. I was sad to see that it was the final book in the series. I would have loved to read more books with these characters. 

The reason I gave it only four stars was because it was a book I was able to set aside and read something else instead of zinging right through it. Plus there were some things in the ending that I was hoping would play out a bit differently and didn't quite seem like they were resolved. 

But, I still loved this book and highly recommend it. If you are one who prefers to not have spoilers when it comes to character relationships, you will want to read these books in order. However, each story is a stand alone and has its own conclusion. 

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - July 12, 2024

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books to share with you.

I am currently reading Dust and Crown by Havelah McLat. 

I am also reading What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join C arrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Dust and Crown by Havelah McLat:

"In the country called Russia, also known as the Motherland, far past the northern city of St. Petersburg and many dotted villages, through the snowy pine forest, tiny, winged creatures no bigger than a human thumb fluttered across the frozen creeks and the frosted, crumpled leaves."

I was excited to learn more about this author's fairy world. 

What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker:

(from the prologue)

"Death is a lonely business."

I guess so.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Dust and Crown by Havelah McLat:
 

"Before he said anything, she lifted her wings. She didn't wince. Sometimes, when a fairy hadn't used their wings in a long time, it hurt when they lifted them. But it didn't hurt Nastia. Her wings lit up by a simple touch of fairy dust."

What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker:

"Helen preened at the comment. 'You're a nice young lady and well versed in the events, it seems. I wasn't going to let you see the letters abut the Willard Treasure, but I've changed my mind.' She rose and dug through a box before she handed over a stack of envelopes."

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the reviews:

Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer 

The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer 
When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson 

When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson Review

 

When Secrets Come Calling was the first book I have read by Felicia Ferguson and I really enjoyed it.

The story is mainly told from Dax and Caitlin's points of view, though there is one other's point of view occasionally. Dax and Caitlin used to be a couple, but their relationship has been over for several years. The only reason they are talking now is because Dax has requested her help in finding the truth in his father's case. His world has been turned upside down because his father is being accused of a 40 year old robbery and murder. His father is maintaining his innocence. Caitlin is a cold-case specialist and has to remain neutral in her investigation, even if her findings end up hurting Dax. Getting closure for the victim's family is very important to her, for personal reasons as well as professional reasons.

There are some twists and turns in both the criminal case and their relationship, some I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed getting to know Dax and Caitlin and their families and friends. There was a lot going on in this story in addition to the main criminal case and the romance. So, I really feel like I got to know these characters.

While at the beginning I was waiting for there to be some suspense, it began to dawn on me that their really wasn't any, at least what I am used to in a book that is listed as "romantic suspense." That doesn't mean it isn't a good book. I just thought I would mention it. There is a bit of mystery in trying to figure out what exactly happened 40 years earlier.

You will find second chances, in more than just the romance. And faith plays an important role in these characters' lives. Will they learn to lean on the Lord and trust Him?

This is a great book, and one I highly recommend.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team, and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - July 5, 2024

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have three books to share with you.

I read Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer for one of my reading challenges. 

I also read The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer for one of my reading challenges.

Plus I am reading When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson as a member of the launch team.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join C arrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer:

"It seemed a shame to Anne Burras that her mistress had endured months of ocean travel just to die before reaching Virginia."

Yes, that would be a shame. How devastating.  

The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer:

"'Mayday, mayday, mayday, DC-2 Delta Niner-Four-Three-Alfa-Charlie declaring an emergency, requiring immediate assistance.'"

Well, that drew me right in to the action.

When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson:

"Thumping country music pounded the leather and wood grain interior of Maddox "Dax" Carpenter's King Ranch F250 with tales of love, summer, and broken hearts."

At first I felt the first sentence was a bit wordy and it wasn't drawing me in. Then I had to wonder if there was a reason he is listening to his music so loud. The words "thumping" and "pounding" and "broken hearts" made me wonder if something could be wrong.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer:
 

"'I will hear no more of this.' Caldwell shook his head. 'I am through talking. We will resume out duties at sunrise tomorrow morning. Use the rest of this afternoon to drill and practice loading your weapons.' He left the bulwark and started toward his house without another word.'"

The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer:

"El melted against the wall, unable to look at the dead guard. Suddenly, the man Eiselher did not seem so worthy of her pity. She remembered hearing about the two men he had killed months ago. How many more had he murdered?"

When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson 

"Caitlin found the coroner's report while Ty pulled up the video. She scanned the report, noting the pertinent details. 'Evidence collected at the scene found the victim's hair and blood on the corner of the bar, which is consistent with the would according to the medical examiner.'"

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the reviews, plus the review for The Women of Wynton's.

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse 

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma